Chapter 206 - The Fall of An Clan (1/2)

206 The Fall of An Clan

Ever since the palace coup, the people at high ministerial positions in the capital were in a panic, in fear that they will be cracked down on. Ever since that day, the court has begun to change blood. Many of the ministers of the Prime Minister’s faction fell off their horses. All of the men of An clan were beheaded while all the women were escorted to the borders to be military prostitutes. Military prostitutes didn’t live past a few days.

Empress An Qian Mei was stripped of her position as Empress and banished to the Cold Palace. To everyone’s surprise, the Empress was found to have committed suicide in the Cold Palace a few days later. Before her death, the Empress wrote an apology letter, begging the Emperor to not implicate her son Feng Shao Chu. In the posthumous letter, Feng Shao Chu was innocent.

However, Lan You Nian them knew the Empress didn’t commit suicide but was choked to death by her son Feng Shao Chu. As of now, the Empress could no longer provide Feng Shao Chu any assistance but has become a stain on Feng Shao Chu, thus Feng Shao Chu killed the Empress. Then, he forged the suicide note, making him the most innocent person.

Though Feng Shao Chu’s move was cruel, it can’t be denied this move cleaned him of this whole incident. Even though he no longer had any forces or backing, at the very least, his life was still intact, even his title of wangye was untouched.

“Young miss, when are we going to Jiangnan?” Lan Wu boringly slumped in the pavilion, fiddling with the handkerchief was embroidered for Lan You Nian. Though all of Lan You Nian’s things were prepared by Feng Yi Xuan, as Lan You Nian’s handmaiden, Lan Qu and Lan Wu still embroidered some things for Lan You Nian from time to time.

Lan You Nian looked at the closed windows, a little bored. Winter has yet to pass. The whole of the capital was a world of ice and snow. She couldn’t stay any longer herself. More importantly, Heaven Tear Heart’s whereabouts has been discovered. Even more important, Wu Qing Pavilion has found out the other force searching for Heaven Tear Heart was Ghost Realm’s people. Lan You Nian knew a little about Ghost Realm. This assassin organization was very mysterious but also very powerful, so Lan You Nian must find Heaven Tear Heart before Ghost Realm.

“In a few days, we’ll be departing for Jiangnan. You go prepare everything beforehand!” Lan You Nian ordered. She hasn’t mentioned this matter to Feng Yi Xuan yet, so she’ll be discussing this with Feng Yi Xuan tonight and then depart.

At this moment, Lan Ren and Lan Feng returned. Even Gui San came. Lan You Nian was surprised. Usually, it was she who went to Xiao Jin Pavilion to find third brother. Third brother usually very rarely came to Lan manor to find her. It looks like something has happened.

“Third brother!” Lan You Nian smilingly poured flower tea for the three people and asked, “What has happened?”

Gui San took a sip of the steaming flower tea, feeling his entire body warm up, and said, “Many of our Wu Qing Pavilion’s businesses have been suppressed. Though no one was hurt, there was a loss of a portion of the property.”

“Suppressed?” Lan You Nian chewed on this. There have been many people who came to provoke Wu Qing Pavilion over the years but no one party has been able to accomplish suppression. With Wu Qing Pavilion’s power in front of them, who would brazenly do so?

Gui San them heard Lan You Nian’s tone and knew Lan You Nian was beginning to be displeased. After all, Wu Qing Pavilion was founded by her. Now there was someone who blatantly provoked them. No matter what was said, it was slapping Lan You Nian in the face.

“As long as everyone is fine!” Lan You Nian was a good master. From the very start, her requirement for her subordinates was their loyalty. If they were loyal, Lan You Nian will consider them her own people. For Lan You Nian, her own people must stay alive. The loss of money was a minor matter but their lives can’t be lost.

“Have you found who the guilty party is?” Lan You Nian lifted the teacup, catching a whiff of the flower tea’s fragrance.

“Ghost Realm!” Gui San said, brows furrowing. This matter was very tricky. If it was any ordinary forces, Gui San wouldn’t even tell Lan You Nian to bring her unnecessary troubles, but would directly deal with them. But the one suppressing their Wu Qing Pavilion was Ghost Realm, the assassin organization that made people’s face change from mentioning it. Gui San had to be cautious. What puzzled Gui San was that Ghost Realm didn’t use all its strength suppressing Wu Qing Pavilion, nor did they hurt anyone as if they were merely giving Wu Qing Pavilion some troublesome matters to deal with. This kind of approach left Gui San puzzled.

Lan You Nian’s brows furrowed hearing this. She didn’t expect it to be Ghost Realm. Not only did Ghost Realm was competing with her for Heaven Tear Heart, but they also looked for trouble with Wu Qing Pavilion. Why? Lan You Nian asked her and didn’t think she had any involvement with Ghost Realm. More importantly, when Wu Qing Pavilion went up against Ghost Realm, she had her subordinates to avoid if possible. It looks like there was something strange about this matter.

“Is the loss serious?” Lan You Nian asked Lan Feng, for it was Lan Feng who handled matters of this nature. Lan You Nian was a master who knew how to use people well, so she was very relaxed in the last two years.

Lan Feng carefully thought it over and said, “It’s nothing serious. It’s just a little tiff really. It hasn’t shaken Wu Qing Pavilion!”

Lan You Nian closed her beautiful eyes. After a moment, she said, “Despite our Wu Qing Pavilion not provoking Ghost Realm, if Ghost Realm provokes us, then don’t be afraid. Those who dare to find trouble with Wu Qing Pavilion need to have a realization of blood!”

“Understood!” Lan Feng and Lan Ren nodded in affirmation. They were fed up with Ghost Realm for suppressing Wu Qing Pavilion for no reason the last few days and when their Wu Qing Pavilion wanted to kill someone, they would disappear. It really made one’s head hurt. Now they had young miss’s orders, they were finally going to show their ruthlessness.

“Third brother, I will be going to Jiangnan. I will have to trouble you with Wu Qing Pavilion’s matters. I also wrote a letter to fourth brother. In a few days, fourth brother will leave the valley to help you!” Lan You Nian said. It was troubled times right now and with Ghost Realm mixed in, she was more or less worried. Though fourth brother was aloof, he was actually very meticulous. Besides, fourth brother already managed all aspects of intelligence. With fourth brother in the capital helping around, she would be at ease.

“Alright, don’t worry, I will definitely guard Wu Qing Pavilion. You can go get Heaven Tear Heart without worries!” Gui San tapped Lan You Nian’s forehead with his fan. Even if it was Ghost Realm, they weren’t afraid. They must guard little junior sister’s Wu Qing Pavilion.

“No, though Wu Qing Pavilion is important, your lives are more important! There is no need to get hurt because of some worldly objects!” Lan You Nian said sternly. She only founded Wu Qing Pavilion to protect the people she cared for, so she refused to allow her loved ones to risk danger for some forces.

“Third brother knows!” Gui San nodded. His little sister, though indifferent and cruel, had a warm heart towards her own people.

The few of them peacefully sipped on flower tea after their discussion was over. Suddenly Lan Wu said, “Young miss, today seems to be the day the women of An manor are being escorted to the military camps. The streets should be bustling with activity. Should we go to watch?” Lan Wu not only said this because she was fascinated by all fun matters and obsessed with play, more importantly, but she also heard An Si Yan wanted to harm young miss in the palace, so the vengeful Lan Wu wanted to see the ending of the enemy.

“Alright!” Lan You Nian nodded. She didn’t put An Si Yan in her eye but she wasn’t soft when it comes to hitting her enemy when they’re down.

After settling on this, they secretly boarded the carriage and left through the back doors of Lan manor. Though the Empress’s faction has already been eradicated, Lan You Nian was still a female, if she was to walk out the doors or was to attend an event with Gui San, it will more or less lead to being maligned. Lan You Nian didn’t care for her reputation but Gui San they cared.

Lan You Nian them entered Zhen Wei Pavilion entered the back doors without anyone knowing. They walked up Zhen Wei Pavilion’s third floor. Zhen Wei Pavilion was overcrowded today. Prime Minister manor has now fallen. Prime Minister manor’s women were to serve as military prostitutes. Today they will be escorting them through this street. All people enjoyed gossip, so on both sides of the street, there were many people watching the show.

Lan You Nian them sat in the box on the third floor that was specifically reserved for them. Lan You Nian currently stood at the window still, overlooking the entire scenery of the streets. One could even see all the people discussing the Prime Minister’s actions. Perhaps there were many patriotic people, many scholars disdained An manor’s action, jointly hating Prime Minister’s women.

It didn’t surprise Lan You Nian there were patriotic citizens in the capital. After ascending the throne, Emperor Feng Xuan has always ruled Feng country very well nor was there any excessive taxation. The common people lived quite happily. And with Feng Yi Xuan and Lan Jian Jun holding the fort at the borders, there has not been a city lost all these years. This for the common people could be said to be a very good homeland. So when someone wanted to break this balance, the common people will naturally be angry.

Lan Qu left the box for just a few moments before carrying some food and said to Lan You Nian, “Young miss, fourth wangye and Princess Bai Lian are at the box on the second floor. Should we invite them?”

Lan You Nian withdrew her gaze, shaking her head. Whether they had love between them, from Lan You Nian’s observation through the last few days, the two of them got along very well. This was good. Not every person could find someone to love them to the bones.